Thomas Paine. Thomas Jefferson. History Coursework

Lesson 3 Discussion
1 Thomas Paine was born in England and later became an immigrant in America. Thomas Jefferson was of English descent and was born in the colony of Virginia. Thomas Paine had an advantage by not being born into a colony he understood how his native government operated. Having lived under a monarchy in Britain, he had a better understanding and disregard for a monarchy form of government.
2 The language in the document by Jefferson is English where he insists that the truth is self-evident and all men are equally created and have unalienable rights before their creator. Paine’s document directed to the colonies where he argues and expresses his disregard for monarchies is also in English.
3 Jefferson fails to discuss slavery in his declaration because there was an early draft blamed Britain for the transatlantic slave trade and for its efforts in trying to discourage its abolition. The colonies had grievances with the British government and the inclusion of Slavery would have impacted the push for independence by dividing the nation.
4 Jefferson described governments as an institution that derives its power from the consent of the people being governed and that all men are created equally. Paine, on the other hand, says that supposing a continent to be governed by an island is absurd.
5 Jefferson focused more on the King than the parliament because the leaders of the colonies had a direct connection with the British empire.
Lesson 4 discussion
1 The accusations by James Calender were ignored because the move seemed like a tactic for the federalists to stay politically relevant. They questioned Jefferson’s racial integrity claiming it had been compromised by having sex with a slave.
2 The whole situation was seen as more of politics than race because the accusations seemed to emphasize the attacks on Jefferson’s politics regarding race. This only proved that the Federalist’s ideologies were still influenced by the eighteenth-century notions of virtue and elitism. In today’s society, a mixed relationship would strengthen an elected leader because they will be apealling to two communities with their ideologies’
3 Racial intermixing was common in Virginia in the 18 and 19th centuries because the victory of Jefferson’s in the 1800 presidential election was a step further in that ensured the non-elites and African Americans had control in the government.
4 Annette Gordon’s work is controversial as it seems to provide evidence that Thomas Jefferson not only had an affair but fathered children together. The previous comments by James Calender were just mare accustions but Annette seems to confirm it.
5 Yes, the relationship between Jefferson and Sally can be seen as an indirect push towards racial equality.
* Jefferson’s major contribution to American history is the declaration of independence but his relationship with Sally Hemings played a huge role in the ending of slavery. This is another angle that can be used to portray Jefferson’s contribution to American History. The reason why Calender was determined to drag Jefferson down for having sex with a slave is that the act ushered a beginning to racial equality, something t...